Let's see, where did I leave off nearly 12 hours ago?

Actually, I don't have a whole lot more to say:

8) I'm flabbergasted that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button received 13 (!) nominations, while the superior and far more engaging Gran Torino got nothing.

9) I think Milk and Slumdog Millionaire are the only films that belong in the Best Picture category.

10) I love me some Amy Adams, but she could have nailed her minor Doubt performance while drunk on the blood of Christ.

So it looks like the Feb. 22 telecast will be another long night of predictable winners and people who shouldn't be there.

Speaking of which, I don't know how I missed this announcement, but: Hugh Jackman as host? Really?

I'm not saying we need to go back to the days of Billy Crystal -- or, shudder, Whoopi Goldberg -- but the Oscars require navigation by someone who can quickly take the wind out of its sails. (Hey, my metaphors match.) Pretty dresses -- and faces, nothing against you, Hugh -- aren't quite enough.

But don't think I'll miss one second of it anyway.

Melodramatic? Definitely. Cheesy? Possibly. But for Hugh Jackman, it's gotta be less embarrassing than Australia, and hopefully more X2 than The Last Stand:

For those of you who have been wondering when the hell someone would make a rock musical about Cleopatra -- and I imagine you're legion -- Steven Soderbergh has heard your cries.

The director is still looking for financing for Cleo, which will star Catherine Zeta-Jones and Hugh Jackman and feature music from Guided by Voices.

The best part? It's going to be in 3D. I'm guessing by the time this gets off the ground, Hannah Montana fans will be old enough to appreciate a little history with their OMG-it's-like-I'm-totally-there! music flicks.